Im Baaack Again! LOL! 16 nights at DVC!!! VWL and SSR

[LIFERBABE]

Since the boys were so concerned about Santa finding them at WDW, I made it a point to leave little gifts for them in the room and in the van before and after Christmas. Santa Claus delivers the Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve, but Santa Mickey gives out little extras for being brotherly and good while at WDW.

So they received little bags of candy, video games, and DVD's from Santa Mickey.

On Christmas morning (the rainy cold morning) I made Mickey Waffles and the boys and DH opened their gifts.(My gift was 16 days of cooperation and the Mickey Wafflemaker and oh yeah a Pave Mickey Watch I found at WOD ) Since we drove, I was able to bring all the gifts wrapped. We took some great photos that morning and we really enjoyed it.

Stayed in most of the day and played games and watched movies as it was pouring rain. Later that evening we went to DQ until close.

It was really cute that they made wishes during the trip (telling me so I could relay to Santa Mickey) and Santa Mickey delivered their wish! LOL Towards the end of the trip, I told the boys it was almost time to go home and my 5 year old said Uh-uh, I wished for 5 more days! (Not with the points we have left!)

One other funny quote from my 5 year old: "momma, where's our room?" when we checked into the studio at SSR! LOL But they are not spoiled

 

[LIFERBABE]

The 26th, I headed over to SSR at 8 am to check in early. Our room was ready! My last night (the 31st) was not linked to my ressie (It was a 3 part ressie), so my keys had to be re-cut after the helpful CM had a supervisor link them. Check in at SSR is slower but I find them to be very thorough and go over everything with you moreso than just being slow, so part of me appreciates the attentive service.

Went back to VWL, packed up and arrived back at Congress Park around 11:30 a.m.

Having stayed in a SSR studio twice before sans kids, initially I was disappointed in the smaller appearance and lack of storage in the studio compared to VWL. VWL was the first DVC studio we stayed in as a party of 4. SSR has a larger entryway, so that is where the extra space went as opposed to it being in the Living area side of the studio @ VWL. The fridge was smaller too.

That said, it didnt take long for me to get over it! We really loved SSR as a family! Ds's and Dh immediately noted that the TV was larger! LOL and the boys even noticed the pull-out sofa was much more comfy than the one they had spent 10 nights on at VWL. So where I was looking at storage (did I mention I overpacked?) their priority was TV and a comfortable nights sleep!
(Men!)

We had an awesome view of DTD and the lake. The weather improved and there was all kinds of activity going on. We watched people on morning fishing Excursions catch bass, hold them up for a photo and release them right from our patio. There was the Ferry filled with passengers from OKW and SSR going back and forth to DTD, the water mice (although they appeared really slow) Surrey bikes, etc.

Dh played basketball one morning with a group of guys on the outdoor court and I took several morning jogs on the SSR path thru DTD Marketplace and completed the circle passing the Westside and ending at the SSR Spa/Fitness Center. The fitness center is WONDERFUL! It really is first class. In the lounge there was fresh fruit and ice water. There are plenty of cardio machines, treadmills, ellipticals, steppers, bikes and weights. They even had a variety of fitness tubing, steps, balance boards and balls. Everything was new and shiny. I kept intending to bring my swimsuit to soak in the spa after my workout, but I kept forgetting.

I loved being in DTD early and see it waking up. It would be hard for me to choose between the Boardwalk Loop and the DTD Loop at SSR.

The Laundry at the quiet pool was convenient, because the boys liked playing on the Victorian playground alot. They also liked the quiet pool and spa. All the water features and fountains really make that area feel like a garden.

We spent alot of time at DTD and actually had time to visit some of the shops and booths. Our last day we had silohuettes made of the boys in front of Dis at Home store and I thought that was amazing that the artist could capture their image freehand with a pair of scissors! They turned out great and I hung them in our entry at home in Texas. Dh purchased the Plumerias we failed to get at the F&W fest in October when we visited for the wedding.

Our last day NYE we walked over to do all our last minute shopping so I thought that was extremely convenient!

Once Dh realized how convenient it was to walk to DTD (He would drive to the kitchen from our bedroom) he really enjoyed walking and even suggested we walk so we didnt use our van much or take the ferry.

SSR really felt like home and I can't say enough about the gorgeous landscaping. We would walk, look at the pretty plants and talk about what we wanted to put in our yard. Ds's liked the fact that it was so close to Disney Quest.

We did visit the main pool and the Donald Play fountain area was working. Both my Ds's really liked standing underneath the waterfall and the stream of water that spouted out. This pool is no smaller than any of the other main DVC Resort pools with the exception of SAB, so I'm not worried about overcrowding.

We had a great no/WONDERFUL trip, Im glad we got to visit VWL during the holidays and though I hated moving, Im glad we got to experience SSR this trip too. I am thrilled with our SSR add-ons and can see us spending many a great vacation there. We are definitely partial to BCV for SAB, SSR for the location and over-all look and feel. From now on we will stay based on proximity to what we like to do on vacation.

I thought it was neat as we sat on our patio watching the DTD NYE Fireworks that I was at SSR for it's Grand Opening Member homecoming in May 2004 and its very first New Years Eves Celebration. 2004 was a great year!

Thanks for hanging in there and I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Lifer

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

I loved your DS5 wish also. Too bad Santa couldn't cooperate! I could take my DS15 and DS12 to WDW over Christmas now more easily than before because sadly, next year will be their first year to get gifts from me instead of you know who Oh well, I will look forward to grandchildren one day

Really loved your report!
Lisa

 

[lllovell]

What a fantastic trip for you and your family.

Thank you so much for sharing so many details and ideas with the rest of us. I am still learning how to travel with my 2 and 4 year old boys, and clutter has always been a MAJOR issue, but you have just solved my two biggest gripes from our Nov trip - bathroom counter clutter and dirty clothes! Yeah!

Also, I am glad to hear wonderful things where you acknowledge for example that check might have taken longer at SSR, but that it was because they are more thorough. Yours is the first report that I have ever read where the joy of being together with your family in a wonderful place came through in all your words!

Thanks!

 

[Divamomto3]

Wow! Your trip sounds awesome! If I only had 2 kids, I do a studio also...but alas, we have the 3rd child syndrome.

We have yet to do DQ, but I'm sure DH, and DS's...ages 12, 10, & 5 will never want to leave there! And I'll take cheesecake and internet access any old time! It's on the list for August! Thanks for the report!

 

[Divamomto3]

I loved your DS5 wish also. Too bad Santa couldn't cooperate! I could take my DS15 and DS12 to WDW over Christmas now more easily than before because sadly, next year will be their first year to get gifts from me instead of you know who Oh well, I will look forward to grandchildren one day

Really loved your report!
Lisa

You got a lot longer than me! My DS's are 12 and 9 and this is at least the 2nd year that the 9 year old "knew." But I still have DS 4 to feel the magic.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Hi Divamomto3! I don't really know how long the younger one has been aware. I just stubbornly had my head in the sand My mom always said ..."when you stop believing, he stops coming"... I always believed

Enjoy the wonder of your little one!
Lisa

 

[Nanajo1]

Thanks for the great report. I enjoyed reading it.

 

[dyingtodisney]

I knew there was a reason our families got along so well, I can't stand for my food to be touching either! HAHA

I'll PM you about our Epcot disaster and missing the merry mixer, the kids really wanted to hook up with your boys again.
Jesse got a ticket on the way home. BUt we arrived safely so that's all that matters in my book.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I'll PM you about our Epcot disaster and missing the merry mixer, the kids really wanted to hook up with your boys again.

Hey Stephanie!! Welcome Back to Tejas! I knew you guys should have followed us home! Yes I am glad you made it home safe and that is all that matters! It was great eating cake with you and a highlight of our trip. The boys were exhausted!

 

[MJTinNH]

Thanks for the great report Liferbabe. I enjoyed reading all your installments!

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Liferbabe,

We were at SSR at the same time! We had a 2 night stay from Dec 30th in a 2br. It was our first trip home and we had the most amazing time. We loved the easy walk to DTD and the look and feel of SSR.

I enjoyed reading your report and re-living my time there, thank you

Karen